Franklin Matters

Meeting Agenda: We will discuss climate-related developments nationally, statewide, and locally. We will describe 350 Mass' campaigns to convert to clean, renewable energy sources in our homes, on the roads, and throughout the power grid. We will learn about the not-for-profit corporation ISO New England that is charged with managing electricity across the 6-state region; and hear about calls to change this entity so it does more to promote wind and solar power.

We will continue our conversation about engaging our region in climate activism: working with residents and like-minded organizations, and advocating for actions and programs by our municipalities, including Franklin. Please join us to learn and contribute.

350 Massachusetts for a Better Future ( https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/ ) is building a powerful statewide social movement to confront the climate crisis, hold our politicians accountable and undermine the destructive influence of the fossil fuel industry. Our name comes from 350 parts per million, the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

350 Mass is made up of several local volunteer-led chapters we call "nodes" around the state that carry out both municipal-level and statewide campaigns, coordinated by a Statewide Steering Team (SST). The Greater Franklin Node includes Franklin and close to twenty nearby communities. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, at 7:00 PM.

For questions and information, contact the node co-coordinators, carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or ralph.halpern@comcast.net.

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday, June 3, 7:00 PM

"Baker and legislative leaders have yet to outline specific proposals for using the money, or when"

"However Massachusetts spends the nearly $5.3 billion in federal American Rescue Plan funds it has, one thing is clear: State lawmakers want a say.
The Legislature is expected to pass legislation by next week that would move nearly $5.29 billion in federal stimulus cash into a newly created account, where lawmakers would have power in choosing how it’s spent, potentially for years to come.
The bill itself is largely mechanical in nature; the version the Massachusetts House passed Tuesday would make the funds in a federal coronavirus relief trust fund “subject to appropriation.” But its thrust would mark a reversal from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Governor Charlie Baker’s administration had wide leeway in quickly divvying up the $2.7 billion the state had received directly in coronavirus relief funds. "

Continue reading the article online (Subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/01/metro/baker-had-wide-leeway-distributing-federal-covid-funds-lawmakers-now-want-say-how-53b-is-spent/

CommonWealth Magazine coverage

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/lawmakers-in-split-with-baker-seek-control-of-5-28b/

Attention Elementary Students: Enjoy a Summer of Reading and Earn up to $25!

At Rockland Trust, we believe in strengthening the communities in which we work and live – in fact, this is one of our corporate promises. We know that reading plays a major role in the education of children. Reading Makes Cent$ is a bank-wide summer program that encourages children to read during the summer and also learn the value of saving their money.

Program Details:

For students throughout Massachusetts entering grades 1 through 8 in the Fall of 2021. Students can earn $2.50 in a Rockland Trust savings account for each book they read (up to 10 books) and track in the Rockland Trust Summer Reading Journal.
Program runs from June 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021. Accounts can be opened or credited until September 13, 2021.
If you do not already have a Rockland Trust Savings Makes Cent$ account, you will need to open an account and can do so by visiting your local Rockland Trust branch!
For official eligibility and rules, click here.

Stop by your local branch or click below to download a copy of the Reading Makes Cent$ Summer Reading Journal!

DOWNLOAD YOUR JOURNAL HERE

*Account opening and credit date is subject to change due to COVID-19. Please check our website for updates regarding branch accessibly for account opening and crediting at RocklandTrust.com/read.

© 2021 Rockland Trust. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

This email was sent by: Rockland Trust Company
288 Union St, Rockland, MA, 02370-1803 US

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Tuesday, June 1, 2021

FM #555 - Talk Franklin - 05/28/21 (audio)

FM #555 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 555 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:

Town Council budget hearings

Two nights, over 4 hours on first night
Budget passed

Maple Hill ‘right of first refusal’

Long term issues: housing production plan, stormwater, and school budget

Housing Trust – June 2
TC – June 9
CPC – Jun 15
FinCom - Jun 16

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0833fcc5-7b20-43e0-818f-b4c6f618dec5

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Town of Franklin budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Franklin Schools budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget

Housing production plan (draft) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #555 - Talk Franklin - 05/28/21 (audio)

Franklin Matters

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Board of Health - Agenda - June 9, 2021 -> updated with Zoom option (note - date changed!!!)

4th of July Celebration: Blues Festival on Saturday

Franklin Senior Center: CONNECTION NEWSLETTER - June 2021

CONNECTION NEWSLETTER

Your Monthly Franklin Senior Center Newsletter

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday, June 3, 7:00 PM

"Baker and legislative leaders have yet to outline specific proposals for using the money, or when"

Attention Elementary Students: Enjoy a Summer of Reading and Earn up to $25!

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

FM #555 - Talk Franklin - 05/28/21 (audio)

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